Thursday, Feb 25: Premiere of "Rise Up" film @ Lincoln Center

The New York Premiere of "Rise Up"

Feb. 25, reception 6:00 pm, program 7:00 pm

ImageNation Cinema Foundation and the
Film Society of Lincoln Center
with live performance by Judah Tribe

Take a journey into the heart of Jamaica, during which three courageous artists fight to rise up from obscurity and write themselves into the pages of history. Rise Up features music and appearances by legends Lee “Scratch” Perry, Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare, Turbulence, and more, kicking off with a live reggae performance, closing with a director Q&A and discussion on reggae’s global influence. Partial proceeds will benefit Haitian relief efforts.

Walter Reade Theater
165 W. 65th Street (between Broadway and Amsterdam)
Advance Tickets $25, $22 Senior, $20 Member, $20 Student
Tickets at the door $30, $27 Senior, $25 Member, $25 Student

Info: Lincoln Center

Wednesday, February 24th: A Dance Tribute: To James Brown & Michael Jackson, Hostos Community Center for Arts & Culture

The History of Black Dance Celebration of Black History Month:
Tribute To James Brown and Michael Jackson

Wednesday, February 24, 2010 @ 10am, 12pm

An exciting, high-energy production for all ages. Come Join Us!

* Hostos Center for Arts and Culture
149th Street & Grand Concourse

$7 per ticket, per person!
Department of Education Vendor #UPT030

Call to reserve your tickets today!
212-987-5030"

Info: Harlem One Stop

Thursday, Feb 25: The Mighty Third Rail - performance @ Lincoln Center

"The Mighty Third Rail"

Feb. 25 at 8:30 pm
Target Free Thursdays

A three-man squadron led by Darian Dauchan, The Mighty Third Rail mixes elements of hip-hop poetry, beatboxing, violin, and bass. Frontman Darian is both a Broadway performer (Twentieth Century) and an acclaimed poet, having been named 2007 Grand Slam Champion of the Bowery Poetry Club’s Urbana Slam Team. Together with avant-garde jazz artists Curtis Stewart and Ian J. Baggette, this bold, urban collective creates politically challenging works that push the boundaries of hip-hop to define the next generation’s voice. Please note: this performance features mature language.

David Rubenstein Atrium
Broadway between 62nd and 63rd Streets
FREE

Info: Lincoln Center

Now through April 2: African Americans: Seeing and Seen - exhibit @ Babcock Galleries

Babcock Galleries presents:
African Americans: Seeing and Seen, 1766 – 1916

An incisive exhibition of refined and controversial fine art and popular culture images of African Americans as artists and subjects. Alternating bitter brutality and cruel caricature with respectful revelations and positive portrayals, each work is not only a signpost of the complex nature of our cultural forbearers, but also a harbinger of the ongoing struggle for equal rights in the United States.

'African Americans: Seeing and Seen, 1766 – 1916' will be on view from January 21 – April 2, 2010. Babcock Galleries is located at 724 Fifth Avenue between 56th and 57th Streets on the 11th Floor. Hours are Monday through Friday, 10am to 5pm, and Saturday by appointment.

Info: Around-NYC.com

Friday, February 19: Initiative Radio Salutes Ralph McDaniels @ Bowery Poetry Club

"Initiative Radio with Angela McKenzie Salutes Black History Maker Ralph McDaniels
Hosted by our own Wes Jackson

Friday February 19th 9pm
Bowery Poetry Club
308 Bowery
With: Homeboy Sandman, Children Of The Night, Prophit, Eric Sosa and more

Info: Brooklyn Bodega

Now through Feb 24th: Photography Exhibit by Harlem's James van Der Zee @ Museum of the City of New York

*Word to Trina for pointing this out!*

James Van Der Zee: Harlem Photographer

Beginning in 1916, James Van Der Zee (1886-1983) photographed the people of Harlem for more than six decades, depicting the life of one of the most celebrated black communities in the world. By providing elaborate costumes, props, and backdrops, in combination with creative double exposures, expert retouching, and airbrushing, Van Der Zee became renowned for the quality of his portraits. Althrough he gained fame for his portrayal of African-American celebrities who passed through Harlem, Van Der Zee made his daily living by taking thousands of photographs of Harlem's residents, including family groups, weddings, athletic teams, and social clubs. Today, this portrait studio work, made by a remarkable photographer, provides an exceptional document of an emerging black middle class in New York City.

James Van Der Zee: Harlem Photographer contains a selection of 18 photographs from the Museum's permanent collection demonstrating the photographer's range of talent, career longetivity, and dedication to his community.

Suggested Admission:
Adults: $10
Seniors, students: $6

*If you live or work in East Harlem above 103rd Street, visit the Museum free of charge. Mention “I’m a neighbor,” and the suggested admission charge will be waived. Employees may be asked to show ID.

Info: Museum of the City of New York

Thursday, Feb 18: Nina Simone Tribute @ Lincoln Center

"American girl, World Citizen: A Musical Journey of Nina Simone"

Feb. 18 at 7:00 pm
Lincoln Center and Black Rock Coalition
In this spirited tribute, a group of powerfully-talented women (hand-picked by Musical Director Tamar-kali) pays homage to a sister traveler of song through works that Nina Simone wrote, touched, or transformed during her transcendent career. This presentation makes use of music to illustrate the fact that, while on the eclectic journey of the oppressed and self-possessed, Nina Simone followed her heart around the globe, finding joy, love, frustration, liberation, confusion, sadness, and hope, often in many different languages.

An encore presentation will be held at the Illinois Jacquet Performance Space on February 22.

Gerald W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College
899 Tenth Avenue
FREE

Co-presented by Lincoln Center and John Jay College/CUNY."

Info: Black History Month 2010

This Weekend and for Black History Month: ARTCURIAN: "Artists Speaking for the Spirits" Mural Project/Exhibit and Artist Talks

"Artists Speaking for the Spirits," an exhibition of mural-sized paintings
by 40 artists of African ancestry. The show, thought to be the largest of its kind involving artists of color, is the premier project of ARTCURIAN, a groundbreaking movement in which artists and social agencies collaborate to deliver services to those in need.

The forty participating artists were invited and accepted the invitation because their works have consistently spoke to the power of art to heal, inspire, empower, define, convey sublime beauty, and positively transform the individual and community.

ARTCURIAN organizers introduced the healing power of art into the various therapeutic settings at the Addiction Research and Treatment Corporation and its affiliate, Urban Resource Institute (ARTC-URI).

- Opening weekend exhibition hours are: Fri, 11-5, Sat and Sun 3-6.
- Audiences will enjoy artist talks at 4 p.m. each Sunday in February. First up is "New Beginnings," a talk with artists new to mural-painting and discussion of great muralists of color in history.
- The remaining Black History Month schedule is: Thurs-Fri 11-5 and Sun 3-6.

Info: Brooklyn Art Project

Friday, February 5: Black History Month Tribute to J Dilla @ The Bronx Museum

* I love Dilla! *

First Fridays! Looking for the Perfect Beat:
A Tribute to J Dilla

Celebrating Black History Month.

Female and male hip-hop producers and beat-makers get together for the first time in the Bronx for a beat battle competition. Through hands-on production and live performance improvisations, respected judges will select a winner from a group of talented music producers, all looking to find their perfect beat.

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 5, 6:00pm to 10:00pm
South Building—Lower Gallery
Admission: Free

Info: Bronx Museum